News: BTB: Dallas Cowboys Offseason 2016: Takeaways From Week 1 Of Organized Team Activities

[birdwells1]

That's a legitimate argument. It does not take into account pushing a player off the roster nor does it consider the fact he may not produce like he did last year. That is not a given.

That's true but we do know what we have now, it's not like it's a huge investment.

 

[jobberone]

That's true but we do know what we have now, it's not like it's a huge investment.

We know what we have in T Crawford (many do some have no clue). We suspect we have a solid player in T Lawrence. The rest is a question.....a big question. At least one of those guys......maybe Irving etc.....will blossom. Which guy are you going to discard?

Azubike, Caleb PS
Crawford, Jack*
Gregory, Randy*
Lawrence, Demarcus*
Mayowa, Benson*
McAdoo, Mike PS
Russell, Ryan ?
Tapper, Charles*
Irving, David*
Thornton, Cedric*
Coe, Rodney ?
Collins, Maliek*
Crawford, Tyrone*
McClain, Terrell ?
Walker, Casey PS

* Roster 9
? Questionable 3
PS Practice Squad maybe 3

T McClain is probably better than questionable
Coe is intriguing but...
Russell may also be better than questionable

 

[birdwells1]

We know what we have in T Crawford (many do some have no clue). We suspect we have a solid player in T Lawrence. The rest is a question.....a big question. At least one of those guys......maybe Irving etc.....will blossom. Which guy are you going to discard?



Azubike, Caleb PS
Crawford, Jack*
Gregory, Randy*
Lawrence, Demarcus*
Mayowa, Benson*
McAdoo, Mike PS
Russell, Ryan ?
Tapper, Charles*
Irving, David*
Thornton, Cedric*
Coe, Rodney ?
Collins, Maliek*
Crawford, Tyrone*
McClain, Terrell ?
Walker, Casey PS

* Roster 9
? Questionable 3
PS Practice Squad maybe 3

T McClain is probably better than questionable
Coe is intriguing but...
Russell may also be better than questionable

Off the bat I would take Freeney over Jack Crawford and Irving for the 2016 season. If you look at that list, you have to ask yourself "who's the grownup"? Who's the veteran that going to lead this group and show them how an all pro goes about his business?

 

[Stash]

I think Freeney could help but he will also be a progress stopper. I've looked at the DL and while there are no stars cutting someone may prove to be the wrong one. It's a numbers game and there will be some help from the young guys....who I don't know nor to a think anyone can answer that with certainty now. There's also the problem of committing to someone that age. I'd rather do so after the first game to avoid having to pay him the entire year.

I'd say goodbye to another "progress stopper" like Jack Crawford in a minute and replace him with Freeney.

Freeney is a Hall of Fame caliber pass rusher. Crawford is a guy that nobody else even wanted.

 

[Stash]

That's a legitimate argument. It does not take into account pushing a player off the roster nor does it consider the fact he may not produce like he did last year. That is not a given.

What is in this game? There's no guarantee that any player will play up to past standards. There's also no guarantees that a player might exceed them either.

And if it's a player like Jack Crwaford that gets pushed off the roster, I'd have no problem with it. He was there for the taking and nobody else wanted him.

 

[LittleD]

Stephen says a big emphatic "no" to any older veterans before TC and likely not this season barring injuries.

 

[jobberone]

I'd say goodbye to another "progress stopper" like Jack Crawford in a minute and replace him with Freeney.

Freeney is a Hall of Fame caliber pass rusher. Crawford is a guy that nobody else even wanted.

Again, one year contribution and you can't guarantee Freeney is better this year. Freeney might get 8 sacks as pass rush specialist or get 0-2. At his age you don't know. He's poor against the run. If this was the no brainer some seem to think he'd already be signed somewhere.

 

[jobberone]

What is in this game? There's no guarantee that any player will play up to past standards. There's also no guarantees that a player might exceed them either.

And if it's a player like Jack Crawford that gets pushed off the roster, I'd have no problem with it. He was there for the taking and nobody else wanted him.

Somebody wanted Crawford. To date no one wants Freeney. Your argument isn't even factual. The argument is Freeney vs a set of players looking for some to succeed not one player.

 

[Stash]

Again, one year contribution and you can't guarantee Freeney is better this year.

Just like you can't guarantee he isn't. His body of work is better than any other available option.

Freeney might get 8 sacks as pass rush specialist or get 0-2. At his age you don't know. He's poor against the run. If this was the no brainer some seem to think he'd already be signed somewhere.

He's absolutely a pass rush specialist who would see limited snaps in key situations, just like Arizona was smart enough to use him.

He had 8 sacks playing less than 25% of the defensive snaps in 2015.

 

[Stash]

Somebody wanted Crawford. To date no one wants Freeney. Your argument isn't even factual.

Who "wanted" Crawford? If they did, they had every opportunity to sign him while he sat for a month as a free agent. The fact is that nobody did and the only visit of record was to Pittsburgh, who obviously passed.

The argument is Freeney vs a set of players looking for some to succeed not one player.

Freeney takes up one roster spot, and one player's reps, probably less given his proven value and role. He wouldn't stop any player from showing what they have, if in fact they have anything to show.

 

[jobberone]

Just like you can't guarantee he isn't. His body of work is better than any other available option.



He's absolutely a pass rush specialist who would see limited snaps in key situations, just like Arizona was smart enough to use him.

He had 8 sacks playing less than 25% of the defensive snaps in 2015.

As you said no guarantees. I get your side of the argument Stash. I wonder if you see the other side. It's a gamble either way. Have a good one.

 

[jobberone]

Who "wanted" Crawford? If they did, they had every opportunity to sign him while he sat for a month as a free agent. The fact is that nobody did and the only visit of record was to Pittsburgh, who obviously passed.



Freeney takes up one roster spot, and one player's reps, probably less given his proven value and role. He wouldn't stop any player from showing what they have, if in fact they have anything to show.

WE wanted Crawford or we would not have signed him. You made an absolute statement....no wanted wanted him. Someone did even though I suspect he was the best of the rest.

You don't understand the concept of putting competition at a position and waiting for someone good to happen. When you are talking outside round 1 and even round 2 you are looking at players with flaws that hopefully some will ripen into suitable players. Taking one or two developmental players out of the mix and you lessen the odds of seeing some ripen into the fruit you desire.

There is no one on our team with the pedigree of DF. Even the likelihood of any of them ever being his quality is very questionable although a couple have a shot esp Gregory....a long shot.

And you keep assuming Freeney will produce as he has in the past. That's a gamble that 32 teams haven't been willing to take yet. So you're on the outside looking in not me Stash. Personally I love the player and he's one of less than a handful I'd CONSIDER bringing on board. I don't see it yet although some team MIGHT at some point.

 

[CCBoy]

Somebody wanted Crawford. To date no one wants Freeney. Your argument isn't even factual. The argument is Freeney vs a set of players looking for some to succeed not one player.

For me, what Dallas has on roster already, makes me feel better at a run defense. I would take a very good run defense and be at least content directional improvements at pass rushing. That will improve with the better offensive production and making an opponent's strength, one dimensional. Dallas can outscore almost all opponents if all are on board and healthy.

 

[jobberone]

For me, what Dallas has on roster already, makes me feel better at a run defense. I would take a very good run defense and be at least content directional improvements at pass rushing. That will improve with the better offensive production and making an opponent's strength, one dimensional. Dallas can outscore almost all opponents if all are on board and healthy.

I hope you're right. I'm still quite concerned about pressure.

 

[Jack Burton]

I don't think the team wants to guarantee his salary. So if they sign him, or any other older players, it probably wouldn't be until week two.

 

[Stash]

As you said no guarantees. I get your side of the argument Stash. I wonder if you see the other side. It's a gamble either way. Have a good one.

Likewise good sir!

 

[CCBoy]

I hope you're right. I'm still quite concerned about pressure.

Funny thing about football. One can take a single indicator, and force a conclusion that just doesn't handle the reality of actual play.

Abstractly, one can take a look at Rod Marrinelli and conclude that next season is his fourth, and all is on the line at it's conclusion, for job retention.

Woa Nellie, the game is played on the field...first.

Teams become sustainable, with great coaching and a team mentality that excels...despite variables. It takes instructional knowledge on technique which matches scheme, and how to integrate that into a team responsive group. Here, the Cowboys have great resources in leadership in their coaching staff. That will take place on the carpet, in a functional manner. I am at least confident in this.

The next part is then dependent upon players knowing what to do and the techniques involved to meet the challenges presented. That part, as to actually accomplishing or doing that on the field, then becomes their jobs. Myself, I think that there are many distractions removed from the team, but roles of both Rolando McClain and Gregory, are on the table as a challenge in the present.

As a unit, this current group, injury clean, should function in the roles set by Marrinelli, to a general standard. They will show up during games. That part, will be above what was fielded for this past season.

To me, legitimate concern are on the table, as to both McClain and Gregory. If they hold to course, then things will improve at a higher level of play. This is a group thing. But from the start, the richter readings are an active source for change. Those two have dynamics that could be quite noticeable, if their personal preferences don't undue some of the bonding in the process for right now.

Their taking to heart the whole team, on an individual level, is the question. In a good and contributing part, that isn't a concern....here, we shall just see how good the defense becomes, with those two parts being counted upon.

If needed, they both could be replaced this next season....but for now, this fan is remaining constant in support as well as expectation. They are still Cowboys!

 

[jobberone]

I don't think the team wants to guarantee his salary. So if they sign him, or any other older players, it probably wouldn't be until week two.

Or gobble him up now before he's gone. Boy's FO says no to that. I like your idea.

 

[LocimusPrime]

We know what we have in T Crawford (many do some have no clue). We suspect we have a solid player in T Lawrence. The rest is a question.....a big question. At least one of those guys......maybe Irving etc.....will blossom. Which guy are you going to discard?

Azubike, Caleb PS
Crawford, Jack*
Gregory, Randy*
Lawrence, Demarcus*
Mayowa, Benson*
McAdoo, Mike PS
Russell, Ryan ?
Tapper, Charles*
Irving, David*
Thornton, Cedric*
Coe, Rodney ?
Collins, Maliek*
Crawford, Tyrone*
McClain, Terrell ?
Walker, Casey PS

* Roster 9
? Questionable 3
PS Practice Squad maybe 3

T McClain is probably better than questionable
Coe is intriguing but...
Russell may also be better than questionable

Oh wow I just realized how sucky our defense is after looking at the list. Not one probowl caliber guy there.

 

[Bullflop]

It appears evident to me that the team is attempting to tend to the present with an eye to the future as well. Otherwise, they would probably be much more inclined to enlist someone like Freeney at this time, rather than choosing to develop their in-house youngsters first and foremost. Philosophically speaking, it's difficult to get both without devotedly committing to either one or the other. Hopefully, it'll somehow work out.